Derm Spotlight: Feline Dermatophytosis (ringworm) What is ringworm? Ringworm is a common superficial infection that infects the skin, hairs, and nails. It is a fungal organism that binds to the hair follicle as a nutrient source and infects hairs. Transmission is by contact with an infected animal, the environment, or fomites (objects that carry infection […]

What is Microneedling? A cosmetic procedure that applies fine needles to the skin and hair follicles stimulating the transition of resting hair follicles to producing hair shafts. This is a new veterinary treatment offered at ADRC used in dogs diagnosed with Alopecia X or Post Clipping Alopecia. How does Microneedling work? It is considered a […]

The new class of flea and tick control, termed isoxazolines, includes the new products: NexGard, Bravecto, and Simparica. In addition to flea and tick control, it has effective ‘off-label’ use for the treatment of generalized demodicosis (red mange) and Otodectes cynotis (ear mites). We are excited there is another class of medications that show good efficacy […]

Since September 2015, the doctors at ADRC have been using an innovative new therapy to help reduce clinical signs associated with atopic dermatitis in dogs. The product, named Canine Atopic Dermatitis Immunotherapeutic, is a first-of-its-kind antibody therapy. Some dermatologists call it CADI for short. At ADRC, we also refer to it as anti-IL-31 monoclonal antibody […]

lay term: Pet Sunburn Spring time is here and we are all ready for a little sunshine! Did you know that pets can have skin damage from too much sun? Keep your pets protected from the sun to prevent actinic (solar) dermatosis. Pets at risk are those with white skin, light skin, or damaged skin […]

“Pruritus” or “Pruritis”? It’s pruritus, defined as severe itching of the skin, as a symptom of various ailments. “…itis” doesn’t always refer to inflammation.   Non-inflammatory “…itis” includes: Wapitis = elk (native American) Mephitis = skunk genus Other “…itis” uses: Tinnitus = ringing in ear Mellitus = honey-sweet

lay term: Interdigital Cysts This is one of the most frustrating conditions seen in the veterinary dermatology practice. What causes it? We see this condition as a structural/functional problem with dogs who have a limb deformity; for example, bulldogs with bow legs. In Texas, we most commonly see these lesions secondary to atopic dermatitis (environmental […]

aka Superficial Pyoderma or Bacterial Skin Infection [i] Just like humans, dogs normally carry bacteria on their skin in balanced numbers. The bacteria that dogs carry is called Staphylococcus pseudintermedius while humans carry Staphylococcus aureus. In healthy dogs the bacteria do not pose a problem. It is common for veterinarians to see dogs with an […]

A round table discussion regarding the new allergy blocker Apoquel was held at the North American Veterinary Dermatology Forum in Nashville, TN in April 2015. The round table was not open to all attendees but the results of the discussion were recently published. At ADRC we’ve had concerns about the implications of long term administration […]

Pemphigus foliaceus (PF)[i] is an auto-immune disorder in which the patient’s immune system attacks components of their own skin, specifically the structures that hold the skin cells together. It is a pustular disease but progression from red bumps called a papules to pustules to rupture of the pustules can happen quickly so that the pet […]